Publicated: 2013-06-14

Meeting with missionary father Bogdan Cofalik

On Thursday, June 13, at the museum held an extraordinary meeting with the missionary father Bogdan Cofalik who spent 24 years among Papuans of New Guinea.

Missionary priest in a funny and engaging way talked about their difficult and often dangerous work among the indigenous population of Papua. They are mostly poor and uneducated residents of small villages scattered in the bush. Decimated by disease, they live in constant fear and insecurity due to the often exploding intertribal wars, in consequence of which the whole villages are mercilessly decimated. Father Bogdan Cofalik quoted many stories vividly depicting his life in the missions, taking into account the extremely difficult and unique character of the missionary vocation. The priest "took under his wing" Papuan youth and hardens their strength of spirit through the muscle strength.

Ks. Bogdan Cofalik was born in 1959 in Palowice. He comes from a family of athletes. In his youth he was a weight-lifter, he won several titles, held  high place in  competitions. He had great talent, supposedly the largest of the four brothers, but abandoned the platform and the dream of world success for the priesthood and missionary work. He joined the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Family in  Kazimierz. In October 1989, he went on a mission to New Guinea.

Using the presence of Fr. Cofalik in our museum, local media and the press as Radio Fiat, Radio Jasna Gora, TV Orion and Weekly Sunday, conducted interviews registering  remarkable stories of Father Cofalik  and his "unusual" way to evangelize through sport. Around  the weight lifting missionary hundreds of Papuans from different tribes gather to get to know the Catholic missionary, who teaches them culture, sports, mutual respect and respect for others. Grateful for  Fr. Bogdan Cofalik's visit we wish him a happy return to the "Paradise Bird Island" and resultful ministry in the coming years.

 

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Access from Jasna Góra: bus line no. 19 from Komenda Miejska Policji, direction Kucelin Szpital or Walcownia, to Makro bus stop.

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